Education in Democracy

“Professor Ronald Den Otter makes a powerful and persuasive case for greater protection for student speech in high schools and even junior high schools. He disputes the conventional wisdom and approach of the courts in giving great deference to school officials. The clarity and force of Professor Otter’s analysis make this an essential book for educators, lawyers, judges, and all interested in issues of freedom of speech.“—Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean, University of California, Berkeley School of Law, and co-author of Campus Speech and Academic Freedom: A Guide for Difficult Times

”Education in Democracy provides a comprehensive, illuminating, and rousing defense of free expression’s significance in public schools. Drawing on an astonishingly wide array of disciplines and sources, Den Otter embraces a bold position—one that would endow students with much greater free speech rights than courts now recognize. Even scholars who dispute Den Otter’s contentions will need to engage the provocative arguments contained in this important book.“—Justin Driver, Professor of Law at Yale Law School and author of The Schoolhouse Gate: Public Education, the Supreme Court, and the Battle for the American Mind

“Censorship and intolerance are all too common in public schools today and in this engaging, informative book, legal scholar Ron Den Otter makes a compelling case for protecting the free speech of students. While the Supreme Court has reduced the speech rights of secondary school students in recent years, Enclaves of Democracy shows how essential freedom of expression is especially for young citizens—and for the future of our republic. This is a must-read for anyone interested in constitutional law, American politics, or our educational system.“—Adam Winkler, author of We the Corporations: How American Businesses Won Their Civil Rights

“Den Otter’s new and timely book makes a compelling case for extending free speech rights to junior and high school students. Deftly deploying political theory to inform his constitutional analysis, Den Otter argues that this extension is essential to advance the importance of civic education and democratic citizenship. A must read for our current political moment!“—Sonu Bedi, author of Private Racism

”Education in Democracy explores why robust protection for students’ free speech in public schools is essential. The book recounts major relevant Supreme Court cases, engaging in critical analysis of key precedents and explaining the dangers of censorship. Den Otter argues why students are entitled to broad protection of free expression rights, not just to safeguard their personal autonomy, but also to ensure the continued health of our constitutional republic.“—Eric T. Kasper, author of The Supreme Court and the Philosopher: How John Stuart Mill Shaped U.S. Free Speech Protections

Ronald C. Den Otter is professor of political science at Cal Poly. He is the author of Judicial Review in an Age of Moral Pluralism and In Defense of Plural Marriage.